Clusia plant named ‘Whistar’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Clusia rosea  cultivar named ‘WHISTAR’ is disclosed, characterized by unique variegated leaves, strong branching and an upright, pyramidal plant habit. The new variety is a  Clusia rosea,  suitable for indoor potted plant production.

Latin name of the genus and species: Clusia rosea.

Variety denomination: ‘WHISTAR’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered as a chance, naturally occurring wholeplant mutation of the parent variety, an unnamed, unpatented selectionof Clusia rosea. ‘Whistar’ was discovered by Edward Bruinen, a citizenof the Netherlands in a commercial planting of Clusia rosea in Februaryof 2003, at a commercial greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘WHISTAR’ by vegetativecuttings was first performed in Maasdijk, the Netherlands at acommercial greenhouse in June 2003 and has shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type throughsuccessive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘WHISTAR’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘WHISTAR’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘WHISTAR’ as a new and distinct Clusia roseacultivar:

-   -   1. Unique variegated leaves.    -   2. Strong branching.    -   3. Upright pyramidal plant habit.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘WHISTAR’ are similar to plants of the parentvariety Clusia roseas in most horticultural characteristics. However,plants of the new cultivar ‘WHISTAR’ produce variegated foliage andstems whereas the parent variety has entirely green leaves and stems.Additionally, the new variety has a slightly slower growth rate than theparent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Clusia rosea ‘Whistar’ can be compared to the commercial variety Clusiarosea ‘Variegata.’ The two varieties are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, Clusia ‘Whistar’ varies in having a differentleaf color. Clusia ‘Whistar’ foliage color is Yellow-Green and Green,whereas the leaf color of ‘Variegata’ is Yellow and Green. Additionally,the variegation pattern is different, and the petiole attachment isdifferent. Leaves of ‘Whistar’ are stronger, and more resistant tobreakage than ‘Variegata’ and the leaves of ‘Variegata’ drop easilyunder stress conditions, compared to ‘Whistar.’

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘WHISTAR’ grown in a greenhouse. The pot size is acommercial 15 cm container. The plant shown is approximately 8 monthsold. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘WHISTAR’ plants grown in a commercialgreenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands from Fall to Spring. The growingtemperature ranged from approximately 17 to 18° C. at night and 20 to22° C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values representaverages of typical flowering types. No chemical or photoperiodictreatments were given.

-   Botanical classification: Clusia rosea ‘WHISTAR’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting: About 20 days at approximately 22° C.-   Root description: Small, fleshy, free-branching roots.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright, pyramidal.-   Height: Approximately 105 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 65 cm.-   Growth rate: Rapid. Approximately 10 cm per month while actively    growing.-   Branching characteristics: Moderately branching, lateral branches    grow from a single main stem.-   Length of lateral stems: Average 16.8 cm.-   Diameter of stems: Approximately 0.7 cm.-   Quantity of lateral stems: Average 16.-   Internode length: Average 4.2 cm.-   Texture of stems: Rounded, smooth, moderately glossy.-   Stem pubescence: None.-   Color of stems: Near RHS Yellow-Green 143A, with stripes of both    Yellow-Green 145A and Yellow-Green 150C.-   Aspect: Straight.-   Stem strength: Very strong.-   Number of leaves per lateral branch: Average 10.-   Other stem characteristics: None.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 8 months old.-   Pot size of plant described: Approximately 15 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, simple.        -   Average length.—Approximately 15.4 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 8.7 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Obovate.        -   Aspect.—Mainly flat and rigid, slight undulation near            margins.        -   Apex.—Obtuse.        -   Base.—Shortened attenuate.        -   Attachment.—Stalked.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth, glossy, leathery.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, glossy, leathery.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Irregularly marbled with            background color near RHS Green 143A and 143B and also Green            144A. Blotches colored Yellow-Green 144A, 144C and 145D.            Young foliage under side: Irregularly marbled with            background color near RHS Green 143A and 143B. Blotches            colored Yellow-Green 150B and 150C. Mature foliage upper            side: Irregularly marbled with background color near RHS            Green 137A. Blotches colored Yellow-Green 146A, 145D and            150D. Mature foliage under side: Irregularly marbled with            background color near both RHS Yellow-Green 144A and 144B.            Blotches colored Yellow-Green 150B.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Color upperside: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144C. Color underside: Near RHS Yellow-Green            145D.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Average 0.5 cm.        -   Width.—Average 0.6 cm.        -   Coloration.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C.        -   Petiole surface texture.—Upper: Smooth. Lower: Smooth.-   Other Characteristics: Foliage highly resistant to tearing or    breaking due to mechanical stress. No stipules, tendrils, thorns, or    spines present.

FLOWER

Bud production and flower production has not been observed to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Not observed due to lack of flower production.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    diseases or pests has been observed in this variety.-   Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Tender perennial, low    temperature tolerance is unknown. Tolerates high temperature to at    least 40° C. No drought tolerance has been observed.-   Fruit/seed production: Fruits and seeds have not been observed.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Clusia plant named ‘WHISTAR’ as hereinillustrated and described.